North Korean leader Kim Jong Un vowed in his speech at a military parade in Pyongyang to work to “strengthen and develop” nuclear weapons in his country, state media reported.
“We will continue to take steps at the fastest pace to strengthen and develop our country’s nuclear capability,” Kim said, according to a report released by the official Korea Central News Agency.
The agency notes that Kim Jong-un spoke late on Monday during a military parade dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the founding of the Korean People’s Revolutionary Army, on Kim Il Sung Square in Pyongyang.
North Korea is under strict US and UN sanctions over its nuclear program, and diplomatic talks with Kim have so far failed to convince him to end his nuclear program. It was put on hold following the failure of a meeting between him and then US President Donald Trump in 2019.
US and South Korean officials and analysts believe that Pyongyang may soon resume nuclear weapons testing, which was halted in 2017.
Satellite imagery has shown signs of activity in a tunnel at the Pungeri section, which North Korea says was destroyed in 2018, ahead of the last summit between Trump and the North Korean leader.
On Monday, Kim led a massive military parade displaying mock-up missiles. Kim said on Monday that the country’s nuclear weapons are “a symbol of national strength” and should be diversified.
“In preparation for the turbulent political and military situation and all kinds of crises in the future, we will strengthen our nuclear forces as quickly as possible,” he added.
The North Korean leader added that while the primary role of nuclear weapons in his country is deterrence, they could be deployed if North Korea’s “core interests” are attacked. But analysts point out that there are gaps in Pyongyang’s narrative.
